The Minnesota Corn Growers Association (MCGA) inducted top MCGA recruiter Dale Busch into the MCGA Recruiter Hall of Fame this month. Busch is a Watonwan County Corn and Soybean Growers Association board member and a past regional representative for MCGA.
Having a passion for agriculture since growing up on a southern Minnesota farm, Busch was an ag teacher for more than 30 years in St. James and Tracy. Following his teaching career, he joined MCGA as a regional representative where he worked directly with county organizations to encourage membership recruitment. He helped county organizations realize the importance of recruiting events, helping organize call-in nights and county fair outreach.
Most recently, Busch was elected to the Watonwan County board where he has continued his passion for strengthening MCGA through recruiting. Since joining the board, he has helped Watonwan County double its membership.
In the past 20 years, Busch has recruited more than 700 members. His key to recruitment has been the many personal relationships he has made in the St. James area over his years as a teacher and regional representative.
“A large share of the people I was able to recruit were even students of mine at one time,” Busch said. “Having a personal relationship with so many here has been fortunate and a key for bringing people to MCGA.”
In its mission to build a more sustainable future on the farm, Busch said MCGA is only as influential as its membership, which serves as motivation for his recruiting efforts.
“Membership is the lifeblood of our organization,” he said. “When we go to the Capitol or Washington to advocate, we need to have strong numbers in membership to be heard.”
Busch will be honored at the MCGA Annual Meeting during MN Ag EXPO 2020 in Mankato. The MCGA Recruiter Hall of Fame grows to 11 members with his induction. Nominees for the MCGA Recruiter Hall of Fame must have recruited over 300 members and been an active recruiter for at least five years.
With more than 6,500 members, MCGA works to identify and promote opportunities for corn farmers while enhancing quality of life. To join MCGA, or learn more about the work MCGA does on behalf of Minnesota’s corn farmers, visit www.mncorn.org.
